Improvement in bee-hives



JOHN wwINDIIIi, or CINCINNATI, OHIO.

Letters Patent No. 103,697, dated May 31, 1870.

IMPROVEMENT -IN' BEE-RIVES.

Y Mr-Q The Schedule referred `to in thon Letters Patent and making part of the same.

I, J OHNW. WINDEn, of Cincinnati, in the county' of Hamilton and State-of Ohio, have invented certain Improvements in Bee-Hives, of which the following is a specification.

Nature and Objects of the Invention.

The nature of my invention consists in constructing a. bee-hive in four compartments; one of which is the main hive, `which is independent of the other divisions,

and is provided with movable frames sliding in grooves at the top,v and resting on a false movable bottom,`

which, by its construction, admits of one, any, or all of the comb-frames in the main hive being removed and replaced at pleasure.

The second compartment is a moth-chamber underv neath the main hive, in front of which is a recess, providing a lighting-board for the bees, and having ports or holesior the entrance of' moths into this chamber; also, other holes completely protected from the weather, leading into the hive, for the entrance of the bees.

The third compartment is a surplus-chamber, ar. ranged to enlarge the capacity of the hive, and receive suitable boxes which can be adjusted or removed git-hout disturbing the main hive by opening a drop.

The fourth compartment is an air-chamber aboveA the surplus or boxlchamber, and covered with a lid, which, by the arrangement, holds the door in position y when closed.

The nature of this invention further consists in providing slats for the main hive to rest upon when open, andto support the combauies-thcreof when drawn out.

This invention also relates to a hinge adapted to a drop-doel', which is cheap and of easy construction, as well as strong anddurable.

Description of Accompanying Drawings. Figure 1 is a. vertical cross-section, showing the comb-chambers partially drawn out.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of t-heyhive.

General Description.

`as tobe outv of the way when not in use.

It is a false bottom with gains cut for the frames b to' rest in.

The frames b b are made withtenons ou the top sliding in grooves t, and t in gainsl out in the false or movable bottom k. These grooves and gains hold the comb-frames in the proper position. v4W hen drawn out they are easily detached by lifting the tenons out of the front gains.

dis a drop-.door working on hinge u..

h hare slats fitting in gains cut in the lightingboard E', and are run back into the' moth-chamber, so When drawn out, as shown in tig. 1, they support the door d on which the false bottom k rests when drawn out.

b b are movable comb-frames of the main hive.

B is the surplus or box-chamber or compartment.

y is the entrance from the main hive.

c' fr are entrances from the front,and`-may be closed by the use of a slide or other devices, or left open for the passage of the working bees, without having to pass through the main hiv y d is a drop-door with a cleat O projecting at right angles. When this door is open the cleat is brought against the face ot' the lower door d, holding-the door d. in` a horizontal position, level with the plane of the lower boxes c c, forming a table for the boxes to rest upon* when drawn out of chamber B. In iig. l4 the 'door d is closed; the dotted lines s s' show the position of this door when open, and the curved line oi' dots xx' shows the arcof circle described by it in opening or closing.

'lhelower door ll is represented asopen, resting on the slats h h, with dotted lines showing its sweep.

F is au air-chamber above the hive, with holes e c for ventilation and absorption of moisture, keeping the hive cool in summer and dry in winter.

Pis the cap which covers the top of the hive,v and has projections or lips to hold the door ll in position when closed.

The hinge n. is composed of two strips of metal with holes drilled for the screws. The center screw is fastened or screwed into the door, as shown at n in iig. 1, and serves as a pivot for both strips to revolve upon," and can he attached at any angle, vbeing cheap of construction, stronger and more durable than other hinges adapted to similar purposes.

The hive constructed as described has many advantages over ordinary hives.

'lhe moth-chamber is easily made, and, being imi mediately beneath the hive, economizes space, while furnishing a place for the moths to deposit their ovum.

The lighting-board, being placed at a desired angle, allows the bee-entrance to be made from underneath the hive-chamber protected from the atmospbere,and

`frames, one, any, or all of these frames 'can be removed to .take out the comb or moths that may have entered the main hive,.thereby dispensing with hooks,

pins, or other devices now in common use for this purlpose.

Sufficient space is allowed around the comb-frames for-the bees to pass While at work.

The main hive can beseparated from the` surpluschamber by slats, instead of a division-board, as shown in the dlawing. Likevvise slats mayl be used to sup'- port the movable bottom k'.

Claims. I claim as my invention- 1. The combination of the chamber A, frames b b b with the sliding` bottom 7c and drop-door (l, and slats 7l h arranged above the recess E, and moth-chamber substantially as herein set forth.

2. A hive, when composed of the compartments A B and D, with the doors d d and slats h h, constructcd and arranged substantial] y as herein set forth. 3. A hive composed of the chamber A, movable frames b b, and bottom k', supported by the slats h h, when combined withv the chamber B, constructed and arranged as herein shown.

Witnesses:

J. FULTON, E. Woon, E. BOYD.

JOHN W. VINDER. 

